Page 1294 - Week 04 - Thursday, 21 April 1994
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MINISTER FOR THE ENVIRONMENT, LAND AND PLANNING
LEGISLATIVE ASSEMBLY QUESTION
QUESTION NO. 1255
"The Valley" Ruins
Mr CORNWELL - Asked the Minister for the Environment, Land and Planning in relation to plans to incorporate the ruins of "The Valley" in the design of the Gungahlin Town Centre
(1) What was the condition of the house in 1964 when vacated by its last
occupants.
(2) Who was responsible for the maintenance of the building from 1964 onwards
and why was such maintenance not performed.
(3) When was the building heritage listed.
(4) Why has the building been allowed to fall into ruin.
Mr Wood - The answer to the Members question is as follows:
(1) Departmental files do not contain any details on the condition of the house
when it was vacated by its last tenants. Anecdotal information gathered by the
ACT Heritage Unit indicates that the roof of the house was not stable, that
there was no power connected and it is likely that the house was not habitable.
(2) Details are not clear on the responsibility for the house after this time though it
was certainly within the lease of Block 8 Gungahlin. This would mean that
the lessee of Block 8 Gungahlin was responsible for the house. It is
understood that because the house was in an unstable condition, the lessee
offered the stone work in the house to St Ninians Church. When the stone was
removed, so too was the roof. The lessee also removed a number of the
outbuildings which were a danger to his stock. Upon withdrawal of the lease in
1974, it was noted that the lease contained ruined remains of original
homestead buildings being two stone and mud walled structures which were
considered to have no value for compensation purposes. The heritage value of
the buildings was not recognised in the fifties and sixties. The possibility of
repairing or restoring the house was not considered a practical option.
(3) Notice of the inclusion of "The Valley" in the interim Heritage Places Register
was gazetted on 1 December 1993.
(4) See (2) above.
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